{"id":26,"date":"2014-07-10T16:45:36","date_gmt":"2014-07-10T15:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/drbarnard.genpra.net\/?page_id=26"},"modified":"2020-03-03T15:07:19","modified_gmt":"2020-03-03T15:07:19","slug":"house-calls","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.benshamfamilypractice.nhs.uk\/clinics-and-services\/services\/house-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Visits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you think an immediate home visit is required, please tell the Receptionist. In cases of major injury or critical condition, it may be more appropriate to go directly to your local Hospital Accident & Emergency Department. If an Ambulance is required, dial 999.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our GP Practice is keen to ensure that we make the best use of our clinical staff, allowing them to provide the most appropriate care to those most in need of it. For the vast majority of patients, attending an appointment at the Practice is the best option for them and for the Practice staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may think that a home visit by a family doctor (GP) is best for patient care. However, while home visits are convenient for the patient, they actually offer a poorer standard of care compared to surgery consultations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because of:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We have noticed that many patients are requesting visits that are inappropriate or unnecessary. This has a negative impact on other aspects of our service. Calling the doctor out unnecessarily takes the doctor away from patients who may have a greater clinical need. Most of the consultations during home visits could easily and safely be carried out in the surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please note this list only includes some examples, and is not exhaustive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are poorly and think you need an urgent same day visit, please call us before 10am on the day.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n If we visit you at home and feel that your request was inappropriate, we may inform you so that you use our services more appropriately in the future. Please do not be offended, as we have a duty to use our resources effectively for the safety and benefit of all patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember: you do not have an automatic right to a home visit<\/strong><\/p> Under their terms of working, GPs are required to consider home visits for medical reasons only. If you think you require a home visit, please call the surgery before 10am. All home visit requests will be medically assessed to check if a visit is appropriate.Some myths about home visits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Myth <\/strong><\/td> Fact<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> It\u2019s my right to have a home visit.<\/td> Under the GP terms of service, it is actually up to the doctor to decide, in their reasonable opinion, where a consultation should take place.<\/td><\/tr> I should get a visit because I\u2019m old. <\/td> Our clinical work does not judge based on age alone.<\/td><\/tr> I can\u2019t bring my child out in this weather. <\/td> No-one will be harmed by being wrapped up and brought in to the surgery.<\/td><\/tr> The doctor needs to check I\u2019m ready to go into hospital.<\/td> Paramedics can provide initial lifesaving care, and patients will be cared for appropriately in emergency departments.<\/td><\/tr> I\u2019m housebound. <\/td> Being housebound does not always prevent use of transport.<\/td><\/tr> I live in a care home. <\/td> Many patients living in care homes still go to hospital outpatients and take trips out.<\/td><\/tr> Can the GP just pop in to see me?<\/td> We have fully booked surgeries and cannot simply drop everything to visit people at home.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Where home visits are not appropriate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where home visits are appropriate and worthwhile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you think you may need a home visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Appropriate<\/strong><\/td> Not appropriate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Bedbound<\/td> No transport or money <\/td><\/tr> Terminally ill<\/td> Children, young people and anyone who is mobile<\/td><\/tr> Would come to serious harm if moved<\/td> Social reasons or for convenience <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Always provide a current landline\/mobile number so that the Doctor or Nurse can contact you<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"